S2E6 Alexis Saenz / Dancer / Choreographer / Artivist

We speak with Marina Perez-Wong, co founder or Twin Walls Mural Company.

2020

Desi updates us on the finish of AscenDance in Oakland, and what it's like to be on the wall during a major movement on the streets below.

2020

We profile the #AscenDance mural Team beginning with Community Rejuvenation Project (CRP) Founder, Desi Mundo

2020

In the 2nd installment of our 360 Mural #AscenDance series we speak with Filmmaker Spencer Wilkinson who documented the rise of CRP advocacy in his film "Alice Street" Links: alicestreetfilm.com // vimeo.com/endangeredideas // @spencer_isaac_w Insta

2020

Elaine Chu is on to discuss her role on the AscenDance mural. We talk about her technique and the Twin Walls Mural company she started with Marina Perez-Wong.

2020

Sunena Gupta joins us from Singapore. We talk about her work as choreographer and dancer in the Kathak style. We also get into her work advocating for mental health awareness. blog at: sunenagupta.wordpress.com Instagram: @sunenagupta

2020

We discuss the growth of her graduate thesis in dance entitled 'Contra Tiempo' into an Artivist dance company. We then segue to the 2020 election and the importance of participating in what is left of our democracy.

2020

Hawane Rios is a musician / dancer / activist from Big Island Hawaii, and Mauna Kea. To support the cause of Kanaka'a Maoli people and their native lands donate to or follow these: Venmo - @Hawane-Rios Instagram -@hawanemusic, @protectmauna, @puuhuluhulu Website - hawanerios.com Websites about Mauna Kea kahea.org puuhuluhulu.com standingabovetheclouds.com

2020

On today's episode we welcome Jessica Thornton. Graphic Artivist based out of Anchorage, Alaska. We discuss Jessica's work with the Native Movement along with the unique journey they took to finding their community. From Finland, to Amsterdam, to Anchorage, Jessica describes the importance of intersectionality to the work she does. Insta: @jessicathorntondesigns @native_mvmt jessicathorntondesigns.com

2020

Welcome back to BodyPolitic! First Episode since the Before Times, Season 2, episode 1, brings you dancer, choreographer, author and delightful human Kara Tatelbaum. We discuss Kara's new book, Putting My Heels Down, criticism as currency in dance training and how it affects us throughout life, personally and professionally. We ponder the big questions like - do our math teachers still think we need to get our priorities straight?

2022

Raymond Rodriguez, former principal dancer with the Cleveland/San Jose Ballet (and also Assistant Artistic Director and Managing Director), current Head of Studio Company and Trainee Program at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, describes what it's like to be "aged out" of a career before feeling ready. Do we ever feel ready to sit on the sidelines once we've built a life onstage, in performance? Luckily for the Studio Company and Trainees at the Joffrey, Raymond uses his experience to educate, inspire, and prepare young dancers and choreographers to advocate for themselves and mature in ways that weren't thought important in previous generations of dance training. Knowing full well the psychological and emotional toll of a life in the studio at the whim of choreographers and directors, Raymond is ensuring that his students have the knowledge and support to weather the storms as they come.

2019

Fear is a big topic to tackle, and one that comes up a LOT in discussions with performing artists and artmakers. Ashley McQueen is the poster child for Political Artivism - she creates tremendous, disruptive, socially conscious, subversive work that allows the performer to be powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, and grotesque within the same piece. How does she tackle her fear, and how does she find her strength to perform such politically charged work in today's political climate? Listen to find out...

2019